Who is Emeagwali?
Nineties Photos,Poems and Letters to Philip Emeagwali
LETTERS
Who
is Emeagwali? My grandson is 12 and homework for this
evening he had to identify 15 blacks who made contributions to the world and
your name was on the list. He is very happy that it was because you are truly
an inspiring individual. God bless.
Joshua
I
am searching for the truth. My good friend Jason Tatum,
gave me your address.... said that you know much about
LCPL
DAMIEN C MCMURRAY
mcmurrayd@yuma.usmc.mil
I
ran across your wedding site and thought how cool not only is he a genius he
has the soul to share his world with a sista
"Way Cool." I am helping a friend find out the history of
African/African American scientists to teach his grandchildren that we can and
have done more than sing and play ball. I am excited about the hard work you
and Dr. Dale Emeagwali are doing and I don't think
you know the enormous roles you both play in the spirit of our people and the
greater good of the Earth.
Carla
Gaunichaux
cs104@alliance.net
Last
night my wife and I flew from
Fon J. Ngu
Born in
greetings
and aloha,
or
perhaps I should say ashe' ashe'.
I am a mother of 6 children, all of them are a lot more computer literate than
I am. I currently head the local chapter of moms on the net. As an african american married to a japanese in an area where the emphasis is put on asian cultures, it is wonderful to find you on the net,
actually my daughter celeste found you first, my son bryce ( the households resident hacker, and brain (or byte)
child, printed out the information and did a presenation
for his high school, my other two sons kedall and justin decided that this was a good thing, and are now
trying to find books you have written at the local library, and my other two
daughters have taped your message and are playing it for all of their friends .
Mr. Phillip Emeagwali you are very popular in
Aloha
nui loa Emilie
Uyehara( mom and defender of the kernel code)
Bryce Uyehara (I wanna be
like bill gates ( not any more) I wanna Be Like
Phillip Emeagwali!)
Justin Uyehara
Kendall Uyehara
Jocelyn Uyehara
Celeste Uyehara
Alan H. Uyehara (Dad and fam
sys.op.)
In
this age when all we hear about Nigeria and Nigerians is negative perceptions,
I am proud to say you are a TRUE SON OF YOUR FATHERLAND who will go down in our
history for being a bull-dozer of stereotypes of the Western Society.
I
was in
Israel
Ameh
Julius
A. Clinton Sr.,
Your
are very truthful. The thing I loved most was that you did not forget your
roots, because too many people do it.... I got to say at the end, that in my last
5 years in the internet your site is the most interesting one I ever saw.
Michael
Goeldner, Hemer, NRW
Tell
me, are you another Jona, who was sent to save
Nouhou H. Inti,
I
brought my son to your web-site to show him that we have many intelligent
people in the world that prove that we too have much to contribute.
William
Patterson,
This
is one of the best sites that I've ever seen from an individual. It's not just
technological, but full of history and culture. Keep up the good work, brother.
Roseal Bettis,
Reading
your web page I am in tears of joy for you. You did [not] just lay down and
die. You took things to heart and followed your dreams to make things better
for your family and all mankind.
Good
Role Model for Nigerians...
You
inspired me to select Computational Fluid Dynamics as one of my options.... I
just want to thank you for being such a good role model for
You
are one heck of a guy whose story should be told over and over again so that
Nigerians, Africans and all people of African descents can be motivated and say
yes, "I can too"!
Larry A.
, Ph.D
Technology
for New Zealand's ethnic minorities...
HAVE
JUST FINISHED READING ARTICLE ON YOU AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WELL DONE. I AM
INTERESTED IN HOW THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES CAN BE USED TO DEVELOP OUR
COMMUNITIES. I LIVE IN
WILLIAM
Tony
Brown Journal is looking for you...
I
don't know why many or us (black folk) have never heard of you until we get on
the Internet. I'm so happy that you can make your self known. It's people like
you that Tony Brown (Journal) is looking for to inspire us...."
Eleanor
My
brother, you are a true son of
Professor
Bedford N.
Author and commentator on African Affairs
,
Your
"Connection Machine" and Gordon Bell Prize is like the one step of a
man that has unvieled a horizon of exploration for
mankind, and to the Nigerian Nation a compass to the shores of Good Hope.
St.
I
just read some of your stuff for a paper I am writing and WOW!!!
pezman
Stories
like yours need to be told to the world, particularly Ndi-Igbo,
especially at this time that we are undergoing one of the most difficult times
in our long history.
Uzo
I
thought of committing suicide!!! ...
You
are so correct .... As an African American student ... at the
D.
M.
No
geniuses from the tropics ...
I
once heard someone say that there are no geniuses from the tropics. I am glad
that I have found that the statement is wrong. You seem to have proved that.
Best
web site in the universe ...
This
is , by far the best web site in the universe. I teach Black History at our
Church, and the information that I got is incredible! I love this!
Rev.
L. H. Levine, Sr.
You
have really made your mark on the world. We are proud to say we know you. We
have told our children the story about how you would take 21 credits while
working and then complete classes over vacation periods. We remember your hard
work and dedication.
Steve
and
In
fact Sir, you have shown the world that what whitemen
can do, a blackman can do better, so my own good
`Ambassador' keep on your coulor moving ... we your
brothers at home and other parts of the world are proud of you ...
Basil Eje.
Enugu
By
this great accomplishment, you have shown the world that, contrary to many
negative press that tend to portray the generality of Nigerians in bad light
particularly in the United States of America, Nigerians are capable of
achieving greatness and do indeed excel in many fields.
Dr.
Hamzat Ahmadu
Nigerian Ambassador to the
Shame
brought by Nigerian rulers...
News of positive things like what you do make me a proud
Nigerian, notwithstanding the shame and mess being brought upon
Donald
Odiwo
IBM Corporation, DOdiwo@aol.com
Fastest
person in the world...
Sir,
I just want to articulate my feelings on stumbling upon the fastest person in
the world. Truly you are the fastest.
The
2nd Fastest, Doolia@aol.com
Many
negative bones picked against Nigeria...
With
so many negative bones picked so far against Nigerian image, we are using you
as an example of what one man can do to polish a tarnishing image...
Emma
Aniebonam
It
is so nice & refreshing to read of one of ours rising above the horizon
[strains of Go Phil, Go Phil, Go Phil, Go Phil, Go Phil,...]
Debo Olatunde
Greenbelt,
debo@erols.com
60
minutes should report this accomplishment...
What
can I say. I wish `60 Minutes' or other news organization can spend time and
report on accomplishments like yours.
Stan
Anya
Dallas,
I
am astounded you are not in the major news more frequently because you have
truly achieved some major milestones.
Tony
Morris
Washington, D.C.; morris@usgs.gov
Inspiration
to pursue my dreams...
I
continuously read your homepage because it gives me a sense of pride and
provides me with inspiration to pursue dreams of my own.
Franklin
Nnebe
United Nations Development
FNNEBE%FF091.UNDP-3@nylan.undp.org
You
don't deserve congratulations...
If
you used your intelligence to figure out how to decrease our dependence on oil,
then and only then would you deserve congratulations.
Luis
Hurtado
Two
Natures -- One Righteous, One Wicked...
The
Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught, and history bears us witness, that the
Caucasian was living in the caves and hills of
We
taught the Caucasian even as recently as in the last 1200 years in
As
the Blackman's civilizations have commonly used science for the betterment of
the planet, when the Caucasian has been taught of them, he (and she) has
subsequently has used them to poison everything on the planet from the minds
and morals of the people of the Planet Earth, to the soil, the air, and the
future of every being on the planet. Wickedness. Savagery. Death. These words
best describe Caucasoid products, wherever they are found. Everything that they
have produced is centered in the science of death-making.
As
Ben Wattenburg suggested in his recent book "The
Birth Dearth", even their own species seems to be turning in on itself.
The Earth (a living system of relationships) is undergoing a cleansing process,
and the first and foremost to be obliterated must be the effects and the
footsteps of the Caucasian Whiteman so that there will again reign peace on the
planet and in the Universe.
Vernon
Ali
sunmoonstar7@hotmail.com
I
took a look at your webpage. Was awesome.
Nelda White
I
understand you are a great tennis player, I hope to play you someday but I am
going to need help with my backhand (don't we all?).
Simeon
Olowere
Solowere@vnet.IBM.com
Reading
your article on a country called
Before
I left for
As
a patient
I
hope the Nigerian government head-hunters are listening/or should I say
Surfing?
JOHNSON O.
lidey@megsinet.net
Your
profile on the internet has given me a very high inspiration to call myself a
Nigerian.
I
am very proud of you. I printed all the profiles about you of my computer to
show every single article to my four children who were born in
My
eldest son is very good in Mathematics but, he is channeling his talent towards
Basketball. I am trying very hard to encourage him to put more efforts on his
talent of Mathematics rather than sport. At moment, I am still fighting the
battle with him. I am sure that I will win the war if I can show to him the
great advantages of mental faculty over physical aspiration.
May
God almighty continue to bless you and your family.
Soyemi
soyemi@superiway.net
Congratulation.
You are a great man in Computer and Mathematics.
I
was so surprised when reading one of your finding about Bees in relation to the
computer process. It is one more marvellous finding
of Bees. Like mention in Kor'an (Moslem Sacred Book)
in Chapter 16, title: Bee, I believe that Bees is something special that we can
explore more about their behaviour and not merely
mention in Koran. Koran only give clue that Bee is a special animal.
Eventually,
You found something great about Bee. It is great. I was very impressed about
that.
Once
again, Congratulation Mr. Philip Emeagwali.
Landung Wahana
I
first read of your achievements in one of the nigerian
magazines sometime last year. Yesterday I decided to make a search because I
was so sure you would have a webpage. I ended up visiting your son & wife's
webpages as well.
No
doubt you have achieved a lot not only for the African people, but for all
blacks all over the world. Your ingenuity as far as I am concerned in your
chosen profession is "nulli secundus"
. May the good Lord continue to bless your family so that you can continue to
show the misinformed people all over the world that BLACK PEOPLE DO HAVE BRAINS
AS WELL! I will make sure I introduce all my friends in
Adeniji
London
Denji.Okuyiga@btinternet.com
I
am doing a report on Philip Emeagwali and I would
really like to know your mathematical achievements. I already know that you
helped the
lithium@erols.com
I
THINK IT IS A GOOD SPEECH. I BELIEVE IT IS GOING TO GENERATE A LOT OF DEBATES
BOTH FOR AND AGAINST YOUR OPINIONS, AS WELL AS ON YOUR PERSONALITY PARTICULARLY
FROM THOSE WHO MAY HOLD THE OPINION THAT EVEN IF THE FUTURE LIES IN THE
INFORMATION AGE, PHILIP EMEAGWALI SHOULD NOT BE THE ONE TO TELL THEM -- THE
POLITICIANS....OUR LEADERS PREFER THE SHOT-GUN APPROACH TO ISSUES AND ONE GOOD
THING ABOUT YOUR SPEECH IS THAT IT IS TELLING US TO LEARN HOW TO BE LONG
DISTANCE RUNNERS.
The
points made were very solid, the progression between points as very smooth. The
logic, as I stated, behind the statements made are as sound as I've heard and,
in all honesty, I would be extremely pleased if I heard on the news that you
had been nominated to serve on the board of Vision 2010. I would only pray that
others who saw as you do would be signed on too. As a matter of fact, what I
liked most about the speech is that it made me sad--it made me feel a longing
for Nigeria and generated some kind of resolve to assist in some way or another
as dictated by circumstance.
ekeh@fate.eng.buffalo.edu
(Gaga Ekeh)
You
hit on the major points that need to be emphasized. As an advocate of the
Internet, I have always expressed the fact that this is
Nubi Achebo
Two
Natures -- One Righteous, One Wicked...
The
speech is fine. Though difficult to know how to write it to force the hands of
our rulers to positively take notice and take action. Other than this speech I
even suggest that you write Abacha and his men
particularly the Technology Minister (Engr. Momah of Nnewi) to lift the ban
or reduce the minimum duties paid to import computers and its bits. My dismay
while in Nigeria is that while the telephone connections to the citizens and
calls round the world are getting cheaper in every other country, in Nigeria
they are getting dearer. Presently it cost 60000 Naira (£462), paid to the
government (excluding bribery) for phone connections. A three minutes phone
card to
MARTIN
UZUEGBUNAM , Structural
I
consider it a very excellent, informative and challenging speech. It should
make the congress and the subsequent readers not only reflective but very keen
to set out on a voyage along the path mapped by you. In short it should galvanise US to action.
Adesola Adeyemi
To
every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is tapped on
the shoulder by his peers and offered the chance to do a very special thing,
unique to him and fitted to his talent; what a tragedy if that moment finds him
unprepared. Sir, I must say that the articulation of your vision by way of this
speech has indeed shown that those who tapped you to make this speech must be
proud and should be congratulated. ...Your articulation of how technology has
helped other developing countries such as
How
can any intelligent person find fault with this speech? Sir, I think you
covered the bases, however, a reasonable mind will ask such questions as, how
do we pay for such a gigantic venture considering the state of our treasury?
The answer is not far to seek. Cut expenditures such as Ajaokuta
steel complex, reduce the size of the military and arms importation, privatize
our corporations, reduce the size of government and return the country to
democracy. The effect of these cut-backs may be draconian and sure will bring
with it a lot of hardship but we must not forget that no one likes using iodine
on a fresh sore, however, when iodine is applied to an open wound, it
facilitates the process of healing. I'd say, let's find out how these countries
accomplished these goals. After all, their economies were worst than ours when
they embarked on this journey. That is why we must invest in education as you
rightly pointed out
Finally,
there is a saying that the reasonable man adapts himself to the world and the
unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Let's hope
that the people who are in position to put this plan into reality will take a
good look at your speech and hopefully begin the arduous task of implementing
the vision imbedded in your speech. You are like a rare masquerade, which comes
out only on special occasions, thanks brother, may your ink never run dry.
Ike
Igboji
My
dear brother, you cannot Imagine the kind of joy I felt when I read that you
are going to deliver a speech , on an advisory note to the betterment of our
motherland. I have gone through the speech, and I find it very inspiring. Now,
would the people that matter find it inspiring too? Because we are too far away
from all the action and decision making, I Suggest you copy the presidency,
finance minister, and vision 2010 committee the speech and its entirety. My
brother, I wish I had the means to champion this believe with you but I beleive that proper persuation on
your part and well meaning Nigerians would generate proper funding for your veiws. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT SETTING UP A COMMITTEE OF
INTELLIGENT AND WELL MEANING NIGERIAN BRAINS ABROAD, THAT WOULD BE FORMIDABLE
ENOUGH TO SOLICITE AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENCY? My brother, faith can take you
a long way. I strongly commend your speech. I see you like music too, I can
tell from your web site. I recommend you go out and buy GLORIA ESTEFAN’S MI
TIERRA (MY HOMELAND) its song in spanish but you
would be moved by the english interpretations too. I
hope it makes your believe in your motherland stronger. I hope you succeed.
HALLE@webtv.net
(TINU DAVIDS)
I've
got only 1 word and 1 comment for you! AWESOME. Your stars are in Orbit and
still very far from jiving off a Tangent. So keep your groove going Phil and
raise Naija's name to loftier heights - as our
"Own" People in Power have caused us redeemable shame and dragged our
determined and hard-working psyches in the mud - leaving the youthful minds and
leaders of tomorrow to resort to Self Exile in
Akin
Sadiku
http://www.angelfire.com/ak/AksAquaLair
akin_sadiku@mailexcite.com
I
was suprised to discover the degree of your
contribution to this subject of my fascination but more amazed that I have
never heard about you considering the fact that I read and actually subscribe
to every computing magazine under the sun. I believe this is a color thing and
I will write to the editors of these magazines and journals and ask for an
explanation barring which I'll cancel my subscription.
Toboy Malone, Tn029@mdx.ac.uk
I
remember vividly the day I came to you with a problem in calculus and you asked
for the answer and not the question. You tried to arrive at the question
through the answer. I will never forget that day. I thought that was very
braggadocio.
George
Ekweozor, georgeekweozor@webtv.net
High school classmate in
Mr Emeagwali I have noticed that most
people who excell in what they do seem to be more
gifted in that area or subject compared to others. Yourself is an example. You
may have had the mental ability passed on to you from your parents. I am
interested in transforming myself into being a very good student. For you it
appears to have been natural. How does a person transform themselfs
if they are not gifted?
Mike,
LAKEMA@ROCKETMAIL.COM
I
will like your achievement with other blacks to be well publicized. I came to
know about this by chance. I honestly think that the media in the west tend to
conceal the identity of achievements made by black scientists. This has really
worked well for them as our young brothers in the Diaspora are not motivated as
they do not see there own kind in these fields."
Toyin Sonoiki,
oluwatoyin.sonoiki@virgin.net
There
may soon be a clarion call for you to come home and help us build the nation.
Chidiadi Ododo, adaudo1@pol.net
Thank
you for replying to our email we are grateful that you replied. We would love
for you to visit our school. We have talked it over with the principal (Dr.
Pamela Wilkins) and she agrees that a visit from you would enhance our school.
So the next time you are in town please call us and visit our school.
Koscicool@webtv.net
Nigerian
National Merit Award...
I
have read about your accomplishments in the area of computing,and
I think you qualify to be considered for the Nigerian Merit Award.A
request for nominations has just gone out. Kindly let me know if you are
interested as I wish to nominate you.
Wole Osinupebi
Forwarded by Engr Charles Akindayomi
First,
I would like to thank you for using you ability in a way that will be
beneficial to the future generations. Many times Black accomplishment goes
unrecognized because the man behind the accomplishment does not want to take a
political stand, from fear that he might lose something himself.
We
do not possess the knowledge that you have, but we would like to know what we
can do to help to move the political as you continue to move the scientific. I
feel that it is important for Africans and African Americans to rally around
your accomplishments, as well as other accomplishments by the children of
I
hope that you and your allies are looking into getting help from African
intellectuals around the world. This way we can spend man hours to further
education, without losing man power that is needed to continue your
accomplishments.
Peace
and love,
Rashim and Khali Cannad,
Cannads@aol.com
Abba!
Inferiority of the black race is not the point. It is ignorance on the part of
those who think that way. Ignorance, that is the point. If blacks are indeed
inferior to other races in intellect and ability, how can you explain the FACT
that the US Library of Congress lists that
So,
hey what do you think? We are not talking about the inferiority of any race
here, more so the black man. Its ignorance to think that way. We better accept
our differences and benefit from it man. Taiwo.
taiwo, taiwo@sacto.org
Next
week I will be addressing a group of about 100 minority children for our youth
awareness week. I intend to use your name and background in my brief
talk....thanks for being.
Ferguise L. Mayronne
ferguise.mayronne@sba.gov,
Kedu. Bawo ni?
... The Bible says what does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world
and lose his life. I will like you to emulate those who recorded outstanding
success and did not fail to recognise their creator.
If you have not given your life to Jesus consider doing that today.
Olufemi/Wale, HELOVEME@aol.com
Hello!!
I am an African-American student in
LatimerB@aol.com
I
first discovered your (original website) about a year ago. I was astounded. I
printed out copies of part of it and passed it out to friends who work with
young people. I work for an electric utility and asked my EE friends with
degrees in computing and telecom, etc. if they knew about you, and all were as
ignorant as I was.
"WHY
WASN'T HE ON THE COVER OF TIME OR NEWSWEEK?" I demanded to know. Today, an
18 year old university sophmore discovered your
website on my Bookmarks, and she was inspired by you and your wife. Between you
and Drs. Craig Black, Ben Carson, Paula Mahone, and
Karen Graham, I defy anyone to say that our children have no role models except
basketball players and rappers.
I
commend you and appreciate you all! Thank you for epitomizing excellence.
JD
Slater
jdslater@pacbell.net
Taj Oladiran
I've
read the many letters from other people of African descent...I can only repeat
the confidence that you have given to them and to me. We as a people can not be
silenced ...we as a people are a superior race... now thanks to your genius the
whole of mankind will bear witness to this fact through out human history. I
Pray to God for your continued success in the fields of technologies that
'others' believe that we as a people do not belong in nor compete in because of
some fallacious and erroneous belief that we are an inferior race of monkey
offspring.
Clyde
Knight
clyde.knight@MCIONE.com
Compared
to Albert Einstein...
You
have been compared to Einstein and Bill Gates. They seemed to be individuals
who have taken humanity to the next level with their contributions so I am more
inclined to think of you as an independent scientist. Do you give lectures or
talks around the country?
ADEDEJI
A. AKINKUNLE
HGRW44D@prodigy.com
Your
web page is fascinating. Too bad there are not enough professional black men
here. Call me if interested 216-XXX-XXXX.
Name
Withheld
No
I believe you miss a point, science is science regardless of race, creed or
belief. The danger is people who interpret science as something which it is
not, a social force. I know that you may disagree with this, but if someone
says that a persons work is less valid because of the coulour
of their skin, well then I have nothing to say.
I
am a scientist and god forbid my work should be of any use to anyone. Don't
hope to change racists, change their children, then at least there is hope.
I
admire your achievements and hope that you have many more
Eoin Fleming
E-FLEMING@classic.msn.com
God
Speed and continue to give old Bill [Gates] a run for his money. instead of using
his MicroSoft Windows you can enter the world of
supercomputing with "Afrosoft Doors". John
10:1-10. You are blessed by him to be able to have a mind and will to develop
such great technological strides for mankind. Develop that Door so that this
nation can see that out of darkness shines the great light of God in your
blackness regardless of the Eurocentric attitudes of an Anglosaxon
America. There is hope still.
Reginald
G. Pugh
Fayetteville,
I
learnt of feat 1st in the respected nigerian n/paper
-the guardian-while I was still at home. Thank you for removing reproach from
the black man. GOD bless you and your family. GOD bless
M
T OLADAPO
RONKYMAT@aol.com
I
was doing some research on high school drop-outs for a speech I'm doing in
class. I read about all of the great things you've accomplished and I just
wanted to say that I think everything you've done is great! I only hope I can
accomplish such hard tasks and do as well in life as you obviously have. I just
wanted you to know that knowing this I have some inspiration and more hope.
Kim,
16 years old
We
still talk about you here in Tromso. I think most of
the foreigners here are very happy about what you achieved.
Mohamed
Tromso
It's
about
Joseph
Cotton
jcotton@ameritech.net
Brother,
I came across your accomplishment by luck. It is funny how you have not been
given a write up in the magazines like Time and Newsweek. Your
accomplishment is a major break through in technology but still they refuse to give
you your just do. Well, I am inspired by you and all the other unsung heroes of
African descent that have not received adequate recognition. It goes back to my
belief that we are a feared people, and Europeans feel that they need to keep
the field unlevel in order to compete with us. Well
as the saying goes, "God gives you only what you can handle." From
what I can see, you can handle a great deal brother. Keep up the good work, and
make the rest of us and our ancestors proud.
Charles
L. Calvin
ccalvin@erols.com
Your
website is fantastic. I wish I could do the same,... Fly brother fly. You make
all of us proud. It is so comforting and spiritually healthy to know that an
African brother has done so much for world knowledge and understanding. Sad to
say very few hear of you in
Frank
Boahene, Ph.D.
Director-General, International Foundation of Friends of
kboahene@magma.ca
I
CAME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE ON THE NET TODAY AND I MUST SAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE MY
DAY. AS A PETROLEUM ENGINEER, I REALISE THE ENORMITY OF THE PROBLEM YOU HAD
SOLVED AND HOW INVALUABLE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. BRAVO TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. IT
TAKES A GOOD FAMILY TO PROVIDE THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR DEVELOPING GREAT
MINDS SUCH AS YOURS.
Dr.
JUDE O. AMAEFULE
joavrmt@aol.com
I
have heard, read and read and read all about you two [Philip and Dale Emeagwali] and I say, may God continually bless and uphold
you as you bring glory and honour to humanity indeed.
I lack words to express myself, the joy, shock, excitement, bewilderment, name
it. As I put together my Ph.D. thesis in Linear Induction Drives (linear lauchers), I must say your testimony has brought more life
and energy into my being than ever before. You are a star and you inspire
excellence.
innocent@emf1.ee.uct.ac.za
It
hard to believe that a true [high school] drop out can achieve the level of
proficiency you have attained in the science world. Are you really a drop out?
ADEBAYO
GBOYEGA A
International Centre for Theoretical
adebayo@ictp.trieste.it
It
is so great to see a man of color working with computers. I live in the Bay
Area and worked with high technology companies in corporate finance. So few
people of color, yet the richest people in the valley never finished college.
Go figure but they are white. I want to see a black owned run and operated
Microsoft.
Michelle
Hutchins
mdh1@ix.netcom.com
No
I believe you miss a point, science is science regardless of race, creed or
belief. The danger is people who interpret science as something which it is
not, a social force. I know that you may disagree with this, but if someone
says that a persons work is less valid because of the coulour
of their skin, well then I have nothing to say.
I
am a scientist and god forbid my work should be of any use to anyone. Don't
hope to change racists, change their children, then at least there is hope.
I
admire your achievements and hope that you have many more
Eoin Fleming
E-FLEMING@classic.msn.com
this
is kayode ojo. the national
president of the nigerian association of computer
science students. you are really a source of
inspiration and encouragement to the entire computer science students in
kayode ojo
ojokayode@hotmail.com
You
certainly are a phenomenon! ...
You
certainly are a phenomenon!... Someone came into my store at
Adebisi T. Aromolaran, Ph.D.
aiufott@citycom.com
Philip Emeagwali University? ...
I
have read your story with avid interest. I don't think that from what I have read
about you, that Bill Gates come close to you in terms of technical skill.
Therefore, that people will rank you with Bill Gates is absurd. Bill Gates may
be the richest man on this planet, but as far as I know, he is very highly
skilled, extraodinary, and imaginative enterpreneur. I admire him for that, but he does not have
such extraordinary technical skill like yours.
My
question to you is: What is your objective in turning this extraordinary skill
into material wealth. Most important any plans of setting up an African
Institute of Technology where African students and the world can come and pick
your brain? -- kind of a University in your name in the mother land. Someone
like Bill Gates see the world for the taking. He can pick your brain to achieve
his imagination. He does it very well. He makes predictions according to his
imagination and the rest of the world will follow him en mass.
Hilary
Dike
http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/usafrnet
Dr.
you are out of sight.....I can't really express my true feelings for your
progress I am not that heavy. But it does my heart good to stumble up on this
website to see that Bill Gates may be the most popular, but you have offered a
lot to the science of Computation. You are an inspiration to me.
Johari802@aol.com
Tell
me more about yourself.
TONNAMAX@aol.com
You
along with others like you have confronted racism straight in the face, and
conquered it.
Michael
Aregbesola
Ph.D. student, Queen's
You
are by far the most inspiring man I have heard of for many years. Honestly, I
have never heard of you until I searched my computer. It's a shame that you are
known only to a select few
Kimberly
Smith
Phil
Odeh
African
Institute of Technology ...
What
about using your achievements in computer science to seek African support to
build a first rate institute of science and technology in
LKEITA@CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU
Born in
I
came across your site purely by accident today. And I am glad I did as it
reinforced my believe in what people can do. Without getting into a tirade,
suffice to say I am impressed with what you represent and wish you more
success. I will frequent your site and in fact, will recommend it to as many
people as I can (including some of my students - I teach part time). I am in
the computer field too, so it was particularly refreshing to see a fellow
Nigerian achieve such a feat! You can be sure I will show the site to my son, too.
Well, say hi to your wife and son, Kedu and Odabo; God bless us all :)
Rasheed Solebo
rsolebo@pharmacop.com
I
read about you in a Nigerian newspaper, where I learnt of your site. I really
congratulate you. I am very glad for your achievements which could not be
covered up like those of many other excelling Nigerians (and Africans); yours
are of those that cannot but be acknowledged by the Western world.
You
success is of particular interest to me as I am also in the computer field,
working for an oil company. People like you are a consolation to those of us
who are appalled (to say the least) at the blind materialism of the corrupt few
who are dragging this great God-blessed nation backward.
Let's
all be ready to move the country forward as soon as God rids us of the cloggs in the wheels of progress. God bless you, brother.
Jimi Odeleye
JIMI@statoil.no
Racism
can never be "overcame" ...
One
of your articles stated you overcame racism to achievements but to correct this
caption, racism can never be "overcame" it can be acknowledged as
true, and life go on. I mean, we as melanin dominate people must find the strengh in the knowledge that we are more than the average
human evidenced by our melanin, suvivorship, human
nature.
bestlife@concentric.net
Massively
parallel processing ...
Thank
you for your web page on massively parallel computing. It is an interest area for
me relating to my work in supplying "intelligent content" to
corporate Intranets. The idea of utilizing a corporate Intranet to perform
parallel processing interests me immensely.
The
question you pose, "Where can we find the expert parallel programmers?"
is probably more a question of WHEN we will find them, as I personally see an
upcoming era of interdisciplinary, information integration. Instead of the
"killer app", I pursue the "killer integration" of
intelligent databases and systems.
Has
anyone ever performed parallel processing by optically linking say several
Cray-2 or 3's and distributing the tasks amongst their instruction sets?
David
Banash
dbanash@livingearth.com
You
have a very interesting page. I enjoyed reading it. Does the questions change
often? I like the way you responded to that idiot.
You
are also a very attractive as well as intelligent man. I was wondering if you
know of any Black dating services on the net for an intelligent woman looking
for a professional intelligent man....
I
would like to meet some men in my city who are classy and prominent and
upstanding in their community. The bar scene is definately
not happening. I'm 35 years old, a professional legal secretary and native new yorker. I have every material thing I want out of life, but
I have control over my love life. I'm too old and tired now to play silly games
and I want something different out of life. Can you guide me in the right
direction?
Good
luck with your page and keep the interesting topics coming.
Name
Withheld
I
don't know how I found this interesting man, but I've been reading for three
hours. Very interesting. I am glad my parents taught me love and not racism.
Charlie
CDanesi142@aol.com
I
felt like I won a million dollars...
I
am just so very proud of you that I felt like I won a million dollars. I am an
African American man and you are an inspiration to me. I would be more than
happy if you can send me your autographed picture at this address.
A.
Charles Ceesay
Thank you.
My
father is a big fan of yours...
I
just found your page through Nigeria.com. I can't believe I'm privileged enough
to actually be writing you. I read with awe about your "fastest in the
world" computer before I came to
It's
inspiring for me to see how successful you've become. I'm really right at the
bottom of the ladder - just learning C++ programming language, HTML, and JAVA
for the moment. But one day, when I become rich and reknown,
you'll know you, in a respect, made it possible.
P.S
I can't wait to tell my father I sent YOU e-mail. He's a big fan of yours too.
Yours
sincerely,
Frances Uku
babe@imappl.org
Youths
need your inspiration...
Fisan Bankale
Something
good from Nazareth...
Something
good can still `come from
Denis
You
give us hope and inspiration...
News
of people like you make it worthwhile for the rest few of us black scientists who
often resemble "outcasts" amongst our peers and people. But, you give
us hope and inspiration. And being a Nigerian too..."
Dr.
Omoshile Clement
Pacific Northwest National Lab
My
brother, you are noble! ...
From
one Nigerian to other, I am indeed very proud of you, especially these days
that all we hear and read about young Nigerian men and women is drug dealing
and credit card fraud. My brother, you are noble! Please keep up the good work.
I share your love of computers and strongly believe that we can make a
difference. God Bless you!
Joy
Wigwe
jwigwe@the-hermes.net
This
isn't about anything. It's just to say that I found the information about you
by accident and it made me feel that there may be hope lurking about in the
world. Actually, it just felt good to read it and so that's what you did for me
today.
Thank
you and I am,
Guy Ricklin
guy@polaris.mindport.net
Just
wanted to say yr credentials are great and I'm glad u made full use of yr
talents. It's pple like you that give meaning to life
itself, ok. But dont get too corky, now. Well, I'd
love to learn a thing or two from you. Hope u dont
mind my adding u as a link on my page.
chichi
ofoma
gs02ceo@panther.gsu.edu
I
am so proud of you and of
Mary
Wambui Kihanya
You're
an inspiration for those of us coming behind. I am sure proud of this
Nigerian!! Bravo!!
Kehinde B. Adetona
Univ. of
K.B.Adetona@newcastle.ac.uk
Thanks
for opening up new horizons once again.
Carol
This
is one of those technological breakthroughs that can have a profound effect in
so many areas of our society that we can make quantum leap forward.
John
T. Hall
Williamsville,
Compared
to Steve Jobs and Bill Gates...
The
Herald article compared you to the likes of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and that
means that people like you come around once in hundreds of years. It is a
blessing that you are one of our own.
Uzo Ihionu
adaudo1@MEM.po.com
Africans
looked as less intelligent race ...
You
don't know me and I don't know you. But I would like to congratulate you for
your great achievements. Being an African (a Tanzanian), I know how painful it
is for the Africans to be looked as "sub-humans, less intelligent race,
etc." You are a shining example. Keep it up!
B.
A. S.
University of Bonn,
I
have just visited your webpage and men, u really tried o.
Ade Talabi
United Kingdom; ade_talabi@nigerian.ftech.co.uk
Ikenga[MSOffice3] for Philip Emeagwali
By OBU UDEOZO,
According to
Chinua Achebe,
“Udeozo’s poetry comes to us hot from the foundry of his
restless imagination.
He
is a natural poet ready to take on any subject that touches his people.
We shall
hear of him more and more in the years ahead.”
Ikenga for Philip Emeagwali
is excerpted from Cyclone - an anthology
of poems
shortlisted for the 2005 Nigeria LNG literature prize.
our
landscape is a catwalk
of
songs;
praise
singing explodes
on every
tongue,
trumpets
and cymbals
more
sonorous than April thunder
escort
long drums and flutes
in
their intoxicated tunes
our
native land
is
aglow with melodies…
ñño, aka
ikenga,
elephants
float
on your right thumb
to
compel the spotlight upon us;
truth
cracked
after
your tessellated models
tore
the digital divide:
their
fresh Ayatollah of malice;
truth
cracked,
when
your chicken over oxen theory
defied
the deified Seymour Cray
to
deliver the crown of science
upon
the African Sun.
this
hemisphere
is a
Christmas of trumpets
our laughter season.
God
who planted
the
Onyx stone of Gad
within
us,
is
redeeming that pledge
of our
sunrise.
our
folks
are
summoned
across
the four winds
for a
steaming fiesta
over Chineke’s smile upon us;
so,
aka ikenga,
astride
the surrealist oche ekwu[MSOffice5] handcrafted special
may
courtiers rain you comfort
with
peacock feathers
our
fatherland
is drunk with songs.
what
psalms
shall
we engineer
for
him who
beyond
seven seas and seven terrains
captured
the daybreak of foreign gods
your Papacy in science
radiates in alien tongues
what
algorithms
of
dance steps
shall unravel
this
immanence of our race?
Philip
Emeagwali,
your
over fractious
fraternity
at
the hot horizons of knowledge
redeemed
the millennial eclipse
of our
ravaged soul.
your
connection machine,
and
honey-combed logic
in
massive parallelism,
awoke dry bones
our God’s gift
which
vindicates Nwagu Aneke[MSOffice6]
that
the children of
shall
outshine the firstborn;
but
they slapped
conspiracy
across your paths,
padlocks
and platinum gates
saluted your dreams
yet
your Chi[MSOffice7]
lit your anointed breath
for the
whose pocket
betrayed
even at home
to
pluck the gold medal
of the
computer age;
a tale
Bill Clinton
sprayed
to a world agape;
a
sugared tale in our innocent ears…
your
train loads of prizes
and
caravan of honours
across
the globe;
a
dizzying statistic
that
at last,
God
has poured
His
sovereign Spirit
upon
all flesh.
our
current godlike mode
of fecundity and genius
across the globe;
is
God’s incomprehensible equity
upon
all mankind;
whether
Black or Yellow or Blue….
Philip
Emeagwali,
aka Ikenga
astride
the surrealist Oche Ekwu
may
courtiers slake your thirst
with
Divine wine.
mythic
king
of our
bloodline,
we
polish our music with lightning
and
erect anthems
sky
high
at our
Maker’s altar
for a wonder
child
and
proof
that
the lamb and leopard
shall
chew Divine grass
on
at the appointed feast
of our
Christ
and Redeemer King.
- Amen.
segways
By OBU UDEOZO,
According to Sunday VANGUARD
“Obu Udeozo’s poetry resonates
with a delightful music
and an amazing simplicity
of idiom. Yet he deals with
very complex emotions and
vivifies every acute metaphor
with a learned grasp of
phenomenal nature…”
Segways
is excerpted from Cyclone - an anthology
of poems
shortlisted for the 2005 Nigeria LNG literature prize.
mathematics is
the
midwife of mysteries
surgeons and spies,
archaeologists
of the mind;
your
tectonic calculus
delivers
prodigal oil fields
from perpetual loss and darkness
by giving Fillunger’s
fiction
the
amazing flesh of truth.
robotic engineering
is
census and prophecy
over
human hairs,
the
water’s backbone;
gravity of flowers and electronic eagles:
and after the
water-maid’s
pure head,
equations
become
flutes, rockets and flowers
become segways….
algorithms
become
gods and Deep Blue
the Deep Blue
that
served Gary Kasparov
a
suplex
but
swore celibacy
at
the rebound…
geometric reasoning –
- the mythic face of kings
betrays
no breast tinted lips…
your geometric reasoning
was our Moses upon the
colour coded
against
the infanticide
awaiting
Hebrews and Igbos
astride
time
the God anointed bloodline
to unveil the wind’s cerebellum
the
brain’s hieroglyphics
and
architecture of space.
and now
you
serve
volcanoes a cup of tea
in a
paradise of perfect machines
a concierge of computers
baby-sit
other engines
for laundries, shopping, executive stress;
baby-sitting and browsing the web…
in a seamless patrimony
where
numbers father systems
that sire huge googols of networks;
for our laptops
Internet,
and every PDA
in our pockets
to yield the pay-load
of
Mozart, Emeagwali,
Einstein,
Achebe and Shakespeare
at a whistle call
and to heal every cold and catarrh, debt relief, cancer,
Ebola, neuroses, global warming, exfoliative
dermatitis, famine and create smart weapons systems, smart clothes, polyglot
refrigerators or smart handkerchiefs;
to coddle us, console us, comfort us
at
each whistle call;
in the armpit of rocks
in every face of earth.
for the pay-load
of
Mozart, Emeagwali and
Einstein
Achebe and Shakespeare
to leap into our
solace
whenever we sneeze or sigh or dream
and to oil our laughter
in a paradise of perfect machines…
IGBO
By OBU UDEOZO,
According to
Chinua Achebe,
“Udeozo’s poetry comes to us hot from the foundry of his
restless imagination.
He
is a natural poet ready to take on any subject that touches his people.
We
shall hear of him more and more in the years ahead.”
Igbo
is excerpted from Cyclone - an anthology
of poems
shortlisted for the 2005 Nigeria LNG literature prize.
the earth
vanished into a pin-hole;
I am soaked with songs...
My ancestry’s
sharp beauty baptized me
at the forest’s nipple
- a pilgrim
of delicious peace.
Igbo
space-shuttle
and speech
your civilisation flowers
in
every face of earth
yet your offspring
hide in the toilets
of foreign tongues
your offspring
bury your sharp beauty
with the inferiority of mad English.
mystic damsel
I shiver
in your tabernacle’s splendour
beyond Bill Gates and microchips,
you fathered supercomputer’s Emeagwali
- a vapour in the ocean
of your maltreated genius.
mystery’s powdered face
succumbs to insight
we must rescue
our lone baby from oblivion’s fire
we must re-plant
our fingerprint
against the monologue of English,
resurrection
awaits those
who drink from our roots
not our suicidal love of foreign gods.
-
by Obu Udeozo.[MSOffice9]
PRESS REVIEWS: CLIPS.
“Udeozo’s Cyclone and Compassion treat almost
every subject under the sun…”
DAILY
SUN.
“ Universality is one word which
summarizes Obu Udeozo’s
themes in Cyclone. The poet is versatile
in handling varieties of themes with amazing ease and mastery.”
The
GUARDIAN.
“…his is indeed a most universal range covering traditional African
lore, myths of Africa and other lands, sacred scriptures both Judeo – Christian
and oriental, classical literature and history, music, painting and
contemporary Africa and world affairs.
His poetic range is bewildering….”
Prof. Francis E. Ngwaba Fulbright Scholar.
“….from galaxies to atoms, from deserts to oceans, from sharks to
worms, from cities to forests: he ranges through the landscape of human
experience, bringing together agony, and bliss, betrayal and loyalty…. This volume confirms Udeozo
unequivocally as the master of metaphor.”
Rt.
Rev. Emmanuel S.
Egbunu,
Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, of
“Cyclone is quite simply out of this world. The cover features the 1999 picture “Shark!”
by Jeffrey L. Rotman. The all – black page 300 has a round “worm
hole” leading to the ozone or the galaxy…
The equally black page 303 has the poem “Negative Victor Ludorum” laid upside down etc. The forming and layout of
some of the poems are otherworldly.
Beyond the designs Udeozo remains a poet of
solid words, writing a kind of poetry that sets fire on ice.”
NEWAGE.
“Cyclone is a creatively fierce book which volume and quality,
uniqueness of style, meet at the same sublime summit… Udeozo’s poems are
either singing, leaping or they are just soaring… a seraphic orchestra.
LEADERSHIP
Sunday.
“Obu Udeozo’s
poetry resonates with a delightful music and an amazing simplicity of
idiom. Yet he deals with very complex
emotions and vivifies every acute metaphor with a learned grasp of phenomenal
nature…”
Sunday VANGUARD
“Architecture patterns are strikingly used to foster a form – sense
synthesis… The result approximates the
professed goal of the Heideggerian search for a
quintessential language.”
The SUNDAY MAGAZINE
“…relentlessly experimental.”
The POST EXPRESS
“Like Okigbo, rainbow, thunder,
death…flowers, wine, religion, colours, songs, music, nature, history, politics, culture,
memories, symbolism, entertainments, beauty and more, are found in Udeozo’s mature and sophisticated simple poetry.”
IN OKIGBO LISTING TO UDEOZO
LEADERSHIP – Sunday
“Udeozo’s poetry comes to us hot from the
foundry of his restless imagination. He
is a natural poet ready to take on any subject that touches his people. We shall hear of him more and more in the
years ahead”.
Chinua Achebe
“A man with a message, a very heavy and urgent message.”
OKIKE: An African Journal of New
Writing
“He strides along the pages trying to recapture the picturesque. Like the master of metaphor that he is, he
translates the brush strokes of his fertile imagination into the canvas of poetic
surrealism… He is on of such spirits stirred by the Divine.”
EMEAGWALI'S SIGNIFICANCE TO CIVILIZATION[MSOffice10]
By: Obu Udeozo
An Igbo man from
What does this mean to the
Kenyan, the Yoruba, the Ghanian, the Berom, and the Zulu among us. What does achieving the
world's fastest computation at 3.1 billion calculations per second: implying
break-through in medical science, automobile engineering and many other fields
of knowledge; mean to 20th century society's blackman,
and developing nations?
Several levels of
significance exist in human endeavors. An event qualifies for historical
reckoning if it attains the super-ordinate status and proves of enduring value.
Individuals and nations
that make impact to civilization become wheels upon which the world's progress
rolls for ages.
One cannot imagine a world
without fire and agriculture, without reading and writing, without the
Egyptians and Greeks, without Galileo and Einstein, a world without television
and electronics, and now a world without Massive
Parallelism and Emeagwali.
It has not always been this
way.
Like a faded photograph,
traumas in the recent past, has blurred our communal minds. After our colonial
experience, developing nations lapsed into psychic inertia: passively watching
major developments in the world, without respectable contributions on our part.
Against this background, Emaegwali's significance is multifold. His feat is
unprecedented. The achievement occurred in a rarefied field of science. And it
represents a climax of on-going "myth-breaking" events in our own
side of the story.
However, one must be wary
of hyperboles. Emeagwali did not manufacture the
computer he used, nor can
Emeagwali's achievement is a landmark
in an increasing wave of black triumphs in our time. There is an alarming
penetration of Blacks into territories, which the world had felt were beyond
our peculiar nature.
After the legendary
Mohammed Ali's assertion that there will never be a White World Heavy Weight
Boxing Champion, unless there are no good Blacks, we now have an avalanche of
Superstars in several specialties, Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan,
Mike Marsh, as if excellence were a monopoly of MIKES!!
Yet, the demeaning myth
endured.
It seemed as if the genius
of developing nations were limited to events needing stamina and not
cerebration.
It appeared with almost
frightening verisimilitude that we could not perform at those sublime
activities which required exercising the human mind at its highest intensity.
Our earlier men of genius,
persons like Chike Obi, Awojobi,
Ali Mazurui, the Okigbos,
and Abdul Salam appeared like pitiable exceptions in an
ocean of ineptitude.
General Colin Powel
recently observed that Africans are losing even those elementary comforts we
inherited from colonialism.
These days, evil appears to
have headquarters on our soil. Every conceivable vice flourishes here - robbery,
dishonesty, starvation, civil war, cruelty and conspicuous consumption.
To worsen matters, African
Leadership, by Africans for Africans have squandered more of their nation's
wealth, than the colonial masters ever harvested in the entire continent.
Somehow, it was becoming
self evident, that we were degenerate and disoriented.
And this reinforced the
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX of our detractors.
Are we doomed to
subjugation and depravity.
Let it be noted that this
is not a racist treatise. Spreading the gospel of inter-racial acrimony can
only compound the problem. I believe that racism, ethnicism
and their sisters, are counter-productive in life. Private happiness and
collective peace are ruined by excessive self-interest. Therefore, sign-posts
like creed, nation, color and tribe merely amplify human problems. The noble
man is he whose mind can embrace the world in equal fellowship. This is the
mark of cultivation and genius.
Nevertheless, the issues
herein addressed are primeval.
We are talking about a
SOLID feeling that gripped the black mind in recent history. The tenuous
feelings of underprivilege, emasculation and
bewilderment; he either accepted or revolted against.
And this is a fact of life
not fiction - however bitterly it is denied.
Regardless of the strings
of successes persons from developing nations had made in various fields of
knowledge, the suspicion lingered, that there were certain areas of scholarship
our "Humanity" could not handle. Ever heard of a blackman
being the World Champion in chess, or a Nobel Prize Winner in Molecular
Medicine, Quantum Mechanics or Fractal Geometry. Winning in such areas seemed
as unlikely as a blackman being the President of
Japan.
But now, all this has
changed.
The emergence of Emeagwali and his stunning accomplishments in super
computers, with degrees in five different discipline, like Applied Mathematics,
Ocean and Marine Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, another in
Mathematics, and of course a Doctorate degree in Scientific Computing - we can
say that his celebration in America and Western Nations, is a sweet vindication
of God's impartiality concerning Genius.
Before qualifying this
jubilation as unnecessary and baseless, consider Chinua
Achebe's response as a clue to the mentality of
foreigners in this concern. Said he, "Equality is the one thing which
Europeans are conspicuously incapable of extending to others, especially
Africans."
This discourse sets our
present status and achievement in its proper historical light. An Igbo proverb
says that: "he who does not remember
when and where it started raining on him, will not appreciate when it
stops".
Things have changed without
a doubt. Not many Europeans still hold the view credited to the German Scholar,
Late Janheinz Jahn who
said:
"only the most highly cultivated person
counts as a real European. A real African on the other hand … lives in the bush
… goes naked … and tells fairy stories about the crocodile and the elephant.
The more primitive, the more really African".
We are compelled to take
cognizance of Emeagwali's contributions and to
celebrate them, because contemptuous treatment of developing nations, exist in
Western Societies, at varying levels till date.
Of man's countless
inventions, the COMPUTER is an amazing icon of veneration because of it's
dazzling possibilities. The machine revels in a snobbish exclusiveness because
even its operators wear an aura of privilege.
It is upon this Western
Civilization's Crowning Jewel, that Philip Emeagwali,
from Onitsha, Nigeria - is considered the "World's Fastest Man:" having
also made history by being the first Solo Winner of the Gordon Bell Prize,
which hitherto, was won only by seasoned research teams.
The argument is finished.
Emeagwali's brilliance is akin to an
ablution; it has upturned the perverted logic of bigots and supremacists, who
classify certain individuals or races, as second class beings or out-rightly
sub-humand.
Emeagwali, and others like Prof. Nnaji who is considered among the World's best three
Robotics Engineers, Olarenwaju Adeyiga,
Howard's Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Ofodile,
a Plastic Surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery are Africans at the peak of excellence in their various
disciplines at the summit of science.
These accomplishments are a
metaphor for freedom. They are proofs of the universal quality of genius, as
freely bestowed on mankind by God to Emeka, Pollock, Kofi, Kim, Ibrahim and Aristobulus.
But ironically, it is at
this climax that our celebration must halt. We critically need a solemn self
re-assessment.
What are our chances of
sustaining these break-throughs for contributing our
respectable quota to human society.
The philosopher Whitehead
says that "Civilization develops only where considerable number of men
work together for common ends".
In
In a situation where
citizens of a nation are denied equal rights to basic amenities of life, where
mutual suspicion, rivalry and hatred inspire State Policy; where embezzlement
of public funds and violence reign, how can we harness the consensus for progress.
Whereas developed nations,
comfortably ahead of us are tirelessly seeking new inventions, like reported
prospects of computers being designed that will monitor and minimize energy
waste in the home, fine tune the car fuel system, flag us when something needs
repair, they will also warm the garage, lock the doors and perform an
assortment of tasks.
Here in
The Continent's problems
have become so severe, that even our best minds are uttering what was once
considered sacrilegious. Prof. Ali Mazurui recently
advocated "Benign Recolnization" of
But when African Scholars,
Professors and graduates alike, scramble for opportunities to teach pupils in
Western Nations and America, in order just to feed, when our graduates wash
dishes, serve as night guards and petrol attendants overseas, what other
passport or visa to Neo-Colonization do we require.
What we pray for is an
environment of peace and justice, which does not negate progress among us.
We need International Award
Winning Politicians, Soldiers and God fearing Leadership in
It is their turn.
Only this will enable us
contribute our proven equality to all fields of human endeavor.
The world does not owe us a
free lunch.
Compared with the prospects
of his native land surviving into the 21st century, Emeagwali's feat however lofty and commendable fizzles. It
is like fielding George Opong Weah,
because he was the world's most valuable player, to face
Black nations must begin
addressing injustices in our societies which transform us into ready made
topics for ridicule, debate and contempt on earth.
And we cannot do so, when
our school children have no uniforms, no classrooms, nor textbooks, and when
lecturers are on strike and our Universities are closed indefinitely - and
nobody cares.
OBU UDEOZO - is a Professional
Painter, Poet and Clinical Psychologist.
